5 must haves for a monthly rental apartment in Barcelona

Looking for a monthly rental apartment in Barcelona can be a daunting prospect. It is not an easy task and can take up to three to four weeks of looking before you find your dream pad, so patience is a must!
The demand for apartments outweighs the properties available to rent and landlords usually give preference to tenants in search of long-term contracts. Thus competition for short-term rentals is fierce and securing a flat in Barcelona can be both time-consuming and overwhelming.
When flat hunting in Barcelona, it is worth bearing several factors in mind. We have compiled a list of 5 must-haves for a monthly rental apartment in Barcelona:

Modern apartment
When looking for properties, you will soon notice that Barcelona has plenty of flats in need of refurbishment. If possible, avoid these apartments as maintaining them is likely to cost you both time and money.

Fully equipped and furnished apartment
If you secure a flat which is fully-furnished, you will be up and running from day one without the need to buy furniture and electrical appliances and subsequently having to sell them on once you leave the city. If you come to Barcelona for Masters/Post-graduate studies, you can also look out for apartments with business amenities such as workspaces and free Wi-Fi.

Centrally-located
Aim to find an apartment which is centrally located and well-connected to public transport and your workplace or university to ensure that your daily commute is stress-free. Particularly good areas for this include Gràcia, Eixample Dreta, Eixample Esquerre, Les Corts, Ciutat Vella, and El Born. It is also worth bearing in mind the need to have a Supermarket, bakery, and greengrocers in close proximity.

Without Bureaucracy
There are several documents you will need to have if you are looking to rent for more than a year. This includes your NIE number, Social Security number and a bank account. You will also need to have registered in the city hall (empadronamiento). Fortunately, with a monthly rental you can avoid this bureaucracy.

Contracts with a reliable company
Be careful with apartments you find on the internet as there has been a recent increase in fraud with online rental companies. In such cases, individuals posing as landlords ask you for money in advance, and often offer a substantial discount if you pay everything upfront. So, be sure to go with a reputable company.
If you are in search of a flat for your stay in Barcelona, even if it is just for the initial settling in period, we would be happy to help. Our apartments can be found at www.bizflats.com
Do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about housing and remember, the place you stay contributes to 70% of your Barcelona experience, so whatever happens make sure it is the right apartment for you.